Custer County has begun a search for two overdue climbers in the Ellington Arete area who climbed there either Wednesday or Thursday. A male and female both in their 50's. If you were in the area on either of those days and saw or spoke to them please call us at 719-783-0442.

WESTCLIFFE, Colo. (AP) â€” A husband and wife from Texas have been found dead after they went missing on a camping trip in Custer County.

The unidentified couple was found dead Sunday afternoon, apparent victims of a climbing fall.

Bob Pruiksma (PROO-iks-ma), captain of Custer County Search & Rescue, says the couple appeared to have been dead "several days." The couple's son reported them missing Saturday after they failed to return from a camping trip near Crestone Needle.

CCSARCAP wrote:Custer County has begun a search for two overdue climbers in the Ellington Arete area who climbed there either Wednesday or Thursday. A male and female both in their 50's. If you were in the area on either of those days and saw or spoke to them please call us at 719-783-0442.

Thank You

CCSARCAP

Any info on the cause of their deaths? I assume they fell while climbing the Ellingwood Arete (not the Ellington Arete as stated by the OP)?

"I want to keep the mountains clean of racism, religion and politics. In the mountains this should play no role."

- Joe Stettner

"Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste; look well to each step; and from the beginning think what may be the end."

Both bodies have been recovered and taken out via FFL Lifeguard 4. Teams are leaving the upper lot and should be back in a couple of hours. Lots of damage on the approaches to Arete and Brokenhand Pass due to heavy rainfall. Team members haven't seen this in years. Mud is several feet deep in areas. We hooked up with members of Douglas County mid morning. CCSARCAP

CCSARCAP wrote:Both bodies have been recovered and taken out via FFL Lifeguard 4. Teams are leaving the upper lot and should be back in a couple of hours. Lots of damage on the approaches to Arete and Brokenhand Pass due to heavy rainfall. Team members haven't seen this in years. Mud is several feet deep in areas. We hooked up with members of Douglas County mid morning. CCSARCAP

Thanks for the updates, Bob. Most importantly -- thank you and CCSAR for the service that you continue to provide the mountaineering community.